US 5,511,503 A · Downhauling apparatus and method for using same

Abstract

Apparatus for downhauling a sail movably attached to a mast assembly including a mast base having a gripping assembly are disclosed. The sail is coupled to the gripping assembly by a downhaul line adapted to be held at varying points along its length by the gripping assembly to maintain a degree of tension on the sail. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a system base adapted to be removably secured to the mast base. A lever arm including a first portion coupled to the system base and adapted to be pivotably moveable to the system base and a second portion coupled to the first portion so that the lever arm has a relaxed configuration and an activated configuration is provided. With the lever arm in the relaxed configuration, the downhaul line passes between the first and second portions. With the lever arm in the activated configuration, the downhaul line located between the first and second portions is prevented from movement relative to the lever arm. By manipulating the lever arm between the relaxed configuration and the activated configuration and moving the lever arm the amount of tension on the sail can be varied to obtain the desired degree of tension on the sail.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for downhauling a sail movably attached to a mast assembly including a mast base having a gripping assembly, the sail being coupled to the gripping assembly by a downhaul line adapted to be held at varying points along its length by the gripping assembly to maintain a degree of tension on the sail, said apparatus comprising:

a system base adapted to be removably secured to the mast base;
a lever arm including a first portion coupled to said system base and adapted to be pivotably moveable relative to said system base, and a second portion which extends longitudinally away from said first portion, and is directly coupled to said first portion at a location, said lever arm has a relaxed configuration in which the downhaul line passes between said first and second portions and an activated configuration in which the downhaul line located between said first and second portions is prevented from movement relative to said lever arm and;
a blocking assembly coupled to said lever arm and positioned so that when said lever arm is in said activated configuration said blocking assembly cooperates with said first and second portions to prevent movement of the downhaul line located between said first and second portions relative to said lever arm.

A method for downhauling a sail movably attached to a mast assembly including a mast base having a gripping assembly, said sail being coupled to said gripping assembly by a downhaul line the position of which can be altered to alter the tension on said sail, said method comprising:

passing a segment of said downhaul line into and through a lever arm of a downhauling apparatus, said downhaul line being held to said mast base by said gripping assembly, said lever arm including a first portion coupled to a system base of said downhauling apparatus and pivotably moveable relative to said system base, and a second portion which extends longitudinally away from said first portion, is directly coupled to said first portion at a location and is movable relative to said first portion so that said lever arm has a relaxed configuration in which said downhaul line passes between said first and second portions and an activated configuration in which said downhaul line located between said first and second portions is prevented from movement relative to said lever arm, said downhauling apparatus further including a blocking assembly coupled to said lever arm and positioned so that when said lever arm is in said activated configuration said blocking assembly cooperates with said first and second portions to prevent movement of said downhaul line located between said first and second portions relative to said lever arm;
securing said system base to said mast base;
placing said lever arm in said activated configuration;
moving said lever arm, in said activated configuration, relative to said mast base to increase the length of said downhaul ling between said gripping assembly and said lever arm;
and, thereafter,
placing said lever arm in said relaxed configuration.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Downhauling apparatus and method for using same

Life of this patent

Downhauling apparatus and method for using same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20